Never Give Up

"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them." - George Eliot, nineteenth-century novelist

I don't want to give up longing and wishing for beautiful and good experiences to happen in my life. It's healthy to have an eye for beauty in all things. I've just come to realize that the beauty I see now is different from the beauty I used to look for when I was younger. The life experiences I wanted years ago are not the same as the ones I want now. So, while the longing and the wishing are still a part of my life, the subject matter has changed considerably.

When I was growing up, I used to dream about a "Prince Charming" coming along and sweeping me off of my feet. That's because I spent way too much time watching TV and wishing that I could live anywhere other than where I loved. I cast judgment on the people around me and I fantasized about running away and becoming rich. I wanted to be a part of the TV families I would see each week - the Cleavers, the Petries, even the Ricardos. I didn't want to think about the fact that those TV families didn't exist.

Today my view of life, beauty, and good is constantly changing. As I mature and live life on life's terms, my viewpoint changes as well. Today I hunger to help others. Today I hunger to enjoy the company of friends as much as possible. Today I hunger for peace and serenity. Thankfully, I have these joys today. And I am so grateful.